Assisted Death in Europe and America

Four Regimes and Their Lessons

Guenter Lewy

This is the first book that systematically describes and compares the practice of assisted death in the four jurisdictions where it has been legal for many years.

The book presents the unique cultural, political and legal context that has brought about the legalization of assisted dying.

Lewy incorporates the latest official data as well as on the internal publications of right-to-die organizations not previously accessible to any researcher.

Assisted Death in Europe and America

Four Regimes and Their Lessons

Guenter Lewy

Description

Advances in medical treatment now enable physicians to prolong life to a previously unknown extent, however in many instances these new techniques mean not the saving of life but prolonging the act of dying. In the eyes of many, medical technology has run out of control and contributes to unnecessary suffering. Hence the demand has arisen that patients should be entitled to choose death when pain and physical and mental deterioration have destroyed the possibility of a dignified and meaningful life and that their doctors should help them to realize this endeavor.At the present time there are seven jurisdictions in the world that, with various restrictions, have legalized the practice of assisted death -- physician-assisted suicide and/or voluntary euthanasia -
to wit, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland in Europe and the states of Oregon, Washington and Montana in the United States. Four of these regimes - in the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and the state of Oregon -- have been functioning for many years, and we have for them a substantial body of data as well as much observational research. This book is based upon this material.The literature dealing with the moral, legal and social aspects of assisted death is voluminous, but there is a paucity of writing that provides a detailed account of the way these four regimes are actually working. Many partisans, on both sides of the issue, cite existing data selectively or, at times, willfully distort the empirical evidence in order to strengthen their case. Based on the
documentary record and interviews with officials and scholars, this book seeks to give the specialist as well as the general interested reader a reliable picture of the way assisted death functions and to draw relevant lessons. While accurate factual information cannot settle a moral debate, it nevertheless is a precondition of any well-founded argument.

'The author speaks authoritatively about the issues he addresses. I think this book does make an important contribution to the field. It will be of interest to students and scholars of PAS as a source of information and reference. I definitely recommend publication.' Stuart Youngner, Department of Bioethics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

'The information collected here makes an important
contribution to the literature on PAS because it collects a broad array of relevant information into a single volume. It is interesting and enlightening. This will make the book a valuable resource for anyone interested in the subject and an especially useful resource for academics who study or teach about the issues.' Rosamond Rhodes, Director, Bioethics Education, Mt Sinai School of Medicine

Assisted Death in Europe and America

Four Regimes and Their Lessons

Guenter Lewy

Table of Contents

Preface1. Introduction Why Assisted Death has Become an Important Public Policy Issue The Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide UndergroundThe Aims of this Study 2. Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide in the Netherlands The Path to LegalizationThe Law of 2002 Decriminalizing Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted SuicideEmpirical Data on the Practice of Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide: Who, When, Why, Where and HowProblems in the Practice of Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide:1. Failure to Report Cases of Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted suicide2. Ending Life without Explicit Request of the Patient3. Termination of Life in Pediatric Cases4. Assisted Death for Patients with Mental
Suffering5. Can Palliative Care Eliminate the Need for Assisted Death?The Dutch Regime of Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide Assessed3. Voluntary Euthanasia in Belgium How Belgium Legalized EuthanasiaThe Law on Euthanasia of May 28, 2002The Practice of Euthanasia since 20024. Assisted Suicide in SwitzerlandExit German Switzerland - Association for a Humane DeathExit/Association pour le Droit de mourir dans la Dignité/Suisse RomandeDignitasOther Right-to-Die OrganizationsThe Public Debate on Assisted Suicide5. Physician-Assisted Suicide in Oregon A Legal Obstacle CourseThe Death with Dignity Act (DWDA)Ten Years of Physician-Assisted DeathCriticism and Problem Areas6. Assisted Death as a Last
ResortLessons from Four Regimes of Assisted DeathA Model Statute for Physician-Assisted SuicideDilemmas and Promise of Legalized Assisted DeathAppendices1. Dutch Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide (Review Procedures) Act.2. Belgian Act on Euthanasia.3. Swiss Criminal Code, Arts. 114 - 115.4. Oregon's Death with Dignity Act and Compliance Forms.NotesWorks CitedIndex

Assisted Death in Europe and America

Four Regimes and Their Lessons

Guenter Lewy

Author Information

Emeritus Professor of Political Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Assisted Death in Europe and America

Four Regimes and Their Lessons

Guenter Lewy

Reviews and Awards

"This wonderful book makes a highly valuable and original contribution to our understanding of the complex phenomenon of assisted death. The description of the four existing regimes of assisted death is so well done that -- regardless of the reader's view on this issue -- it constitutes an excellent precondition and starting point for any ethical discussion on the issue." --Chris Gastmans, Catholic University of Leuven

"This book deals with moral, legal and social aspects of assisted death, mainly based on four regimes that have been functioning for many years and for which there is substantial information from the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland in Europe, and Oregon in the USA." -- Anticancer Research